Electric rotary switch

ABSTRACT

This electric rotary switch comprises a double track formed in the switch rotor and associated with sets of twin resilient blades.

1 r ilmte States atent 1 [111 3,757,062 Lipschutz Sept. '4, 1973 1 ELECTRIC ROTARY SWITCH [58] Field of Search 3()()/6l.l9, I53 M, [75] Inventor: Paul Lipschutz, Neuilly-sur-Seine, 300/42 44 France [73] Assignee: Societe DExploitation Des Brevets [56] References cued Neiman, Neuilly-sur-Seine (Hauts de UNITED STATES PATENTS France 3,2l9,767 11/1965 Shrode et al 200 44 Mar. 2 McLaughlin et al 211 App]. No.: 236,719 m y qnigqr:fi!@3J1.H9!

AYt b hi ey Martin Fleit, Ronald D. Cohn et al. [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 24, 1971 France 7110308 [57] ABSTRACT This electric rotary switch comprises a double track [52] [1.8. CI. 200/44, ZOO/61.19 51] 1m. 01. H0111 27/00 fmmed the swltch rotor and assoclated sets of twin resilient blades.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures ELECTRIC ROTARY SWITCH The present invention relates in general to combination electric rotary switch and steering lock units, and has particular reference to electric rotary switches for motor vehicles, notably key-operated antitheft ignition locks and the like.

In this field, the chief problem to be solved consists in creating a switch of very reduced dimensions permitting nevertheless the passage of currents of considerable values, having a good arcing resistance, a long useful life (i.e. it must be capable of performing a great number of operations) and several positions. Moreover, the cost of this device must remain within reasonable limits.

It is the essential object of the present invention to give a satisfactory solution to the problem broadly set forth hereinabove by providing for example an electric rotary switch and steering lock unit comprising a rotor of particularly simple design, a likewise simple yet efficient fastening of the resilient contact blades on the switch stator, and the simultaneous use of the two sides of the electric rotor track, whereby the value of the current flowing through the points of contact between each resilient blade and the rotor contact track is splitted into two fractions while ensuring a mutual compensation of the pressures exerted on said rotor contact track and therefore on the antitheft lock rotor to which no transverse stress is applied. Under these conditions, an improved reliability is obtained.

This invention will now be described by way of example with reference to a typical form of embodiment of the electric switch lock unit shown in the accompanying drawing, in which FIG. 1 illustrates in partial longitudinal section an electric switch associated with a tumbler antitheft device FIG. 2 is a cross section taken along the line defined by the arrows of FI GT 3, showing the switch rotor alone;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the same rotor;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the conducting tracks;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the stator showing the fitting of the contact blades FIG. 6 is an end view of the stator without the flexible contact blades g y FIG. Tillustrates in plan view a 7 contact blade in its developed condition, and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the blade of FIG. 7.

Referring first to the general view of FIG. 1, a socalled tumbler antitheft lock provided with a rotary switch according to this invention is adapted to be controlled by means ofa key 9 having a contour consistent with the inner cylinder. The rotor 10 of this lock has a driving-end portion ll shaped to permit an accurate fitting thereof in a corresponding bore of the switch rotor 12.

The body of the switch rotor comprises a hub 12 and a tubular portion 13 both made of suitable insulating material.

This insulating portion is discontinued at predetermined locations where it is replaced by a conducting sector or track 14 of which a perspective view is shown in FIG. 4. The insulating and conducting portions of the skirt thus formed provide the making and breaking of the contact according to the selected key position.

The track 14 is fitted in a groove 12" and retained therein by rivetting or crimping by means of tenons 14' (FIG. 4). The current is distributed by means of conducting resilient blades 15 force fitted in adequate grooves 16' of stator 16 (FIG. 6) consisting of insulating material. The blades 15 are slightly curved in the transverse direction in order to obtain the aforesaid force-fitting thereof.

These contact blades (see FIGS. 1, 7 and 8) are formed initially from flat stock material and comprise each on the one hand a contact stud 15" and on the other hand a terminal portion 17 adapted to be tightly closed on a conductor end for connecting the switch to the electric circuit of the motor vehicle. Their flexible lugs 15 are adapted to collapse when inserting the blade into the stator holes provided for receiving these blades, and subsequently to expand and thus take up any excess longitudinal play. The transverse curvature of the blade portion embedded in the stator 16 is adequate for obtaining the desired force fitting and also taking up any possible play in the direction of rotation.

This tumbler lock and switch unit operates substantially like the tumbler lock and switch unit described and illustrated in the french Pat. No. 1.589.453 of July 15, 1968. However, in the present device the provision of twin blades 15 is extremely advantageous in that a simultaneous contact is obtained on both sides of the conducting track 14 or on the insulating skirt 13 of the switch.

It may be pointed out that neither'the length of the device, nor its diameter, are increased by the novel arrangement although the contact area is substantially doubled for a same volume of the assembly and at the expenses of a very slightly increased cost. The current flowing through each blade is substantially halved, so that any risk of overheating the contact blades is reduced considerably, thus precluding any permanent deformation due to a crystallization of the conducting metal. On the other hand, if necessary the track 14 may be provided as in previous arrangements with portions having a greater resistance to the breaking spark or arcing, and therefore to erosion in general.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a specific form of embodiment, it will readily occur to those conversant with the art that various modifications may be brought thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is l. A rotary switch capable of being made with reduced overall dimensions comprising a rotor having alternately arranged conducting and insulating sectors adapted to associate with an electromechanical device and with an ignition switch, a stator adapted to cooperate with said rotor, a pair of conducting resilient blades anchored to said stator and extending on either side of said sectors and adapted to cooperate with said sectors to effect a double contact at each angular position of said rotor, and means connecting said pair of blades to a common source of current.

2. The rotary switch of claim 1 in which said blades are curved in the transverse direction.

3. The rotary switch of claim 2 in which the stator has apertures therein and in which said blades are provided with positioning lugs which are force-fitted into said aping sectors comprise tracks having fastening tenons connected to the front portion of said base of said rotor hub in order to provide connections for operation of said rotary switch.

6. The rotary switch of claim 1 in which said electromechanical device is an antitheft lock adapted to lock an essential member of a motor vehicle against movement. 

1. A rotary switch capable of being made with reduced overall dimensions comprising a rotor having alternately arranged conducting and insulating sectors adapted to associate with an electromechanical device and with an ignition switch, a stator adapted to cooperate with said rotor, a pair of conducting resilient blades anchored to said stator and extending on either side of said sectors and adapted to cooperate with said sectors to effect a double contact at each angular position of said rotor, and means connecting said pair of blades to a common source of current.
 2. The rotary switch of claim 1 in which said blades are curved in the transverse direction.
 3. The rotary switch of claim 2 in which the stator has apertures therein and in which said blades are provided with positioning lugs which are force-fitted into said apertures, said lugs being adapted to collapse during insertion into said apertures and to expand after insertion to abut against the body of said stator and thus prevent longitudinal play.
 4. The rotary switch of claim 1 in which said rotor has a rotor hub made of insulation fitted into a circular groove in said rotor material and having its base fitted in a circular groove in said rotor.
 5. The rotary switch of claim 4 in which said conducting sectors comprise tracks having fastening tenons connected to the front portion of said base of said rotor hub in order to provide connections for operation of said rotary switch.
 6. The rotary switch of claim 1 in which said electromechanical device is an antitheft lock adapted to lock an essential member of a motor vEhicle against movement. 